Easy way of Methyl Iodide to Acetic acid?

What is the conversion of methyl iodide to acetic acid?

For the conversion of methyl iodide to acetic acid, follow step by step procedure from the basic organic reactions.

What is to be done?

Methyl iodide has the formula CH₃I while acetic acid has the formula CH₃COOH. In this reaction, -I is replaced by -COOH. There is need of increasing number of carbon atoms to two carbon atoms in product from one carbon atom in reactant.

What are the steps to follow?

First step proceeds with increasing one carbon atom in CH₃I. By reacting methyl iodide with potassium cyanide (KCN), one carbon atom increased, i.e., Methyl cyanide (CH₃CN) is formed and potassium iodide (KI) is the side product.

CH₃I + KCN → CH₃CN + KI

Now, in second step, methyl cyanide (CH₃CN) is converted to acetic acid (CH₃COOH). On complete hydrolysis of methyl cyanide (CH₃CN), acetic acid will form.

CH₃CN + H3O⁺ → CH₃COOH

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